How to Apply Headings

Overview

Use of headings provides the reader with context, structure, and navigation through documents and LMS pages. Think of it as creating an outline or table of contents which can be helpful for both sighted users and those who require use of assistive technology such as a screen reader. Microsoft Word and most rich content editors provide built-in heading styles to choose from, making it convenient to apply them. 

Heading Structure

When applying headings, whether in a document or an LMS page, this structure should be followed:

1. Heading 1: Title
   
2. Heading 2: Major sections
   
3. Heading 3: Subsections of a major section
   
4. Headings 4–6: Subsections of a subsection

Tips

1. Do not apply the Title heading to the title at the top of a document; that is only meant for use on a title page. 
   
2. Heading level 1 is typically only used once for the title of a document. The only time heading level 1 should be used more than once is for the main sections in a large document that combines multiple stand-alone sections.
3. Headings should be applied in hierarchical order, and levels should not be skipped.
   
4. Accessibility checker in Word does not assess heading structure. Instead, use the Navigation Pane (under the View tab in the Show section) to check documents for heading structure accuracy. Remove any headings applied to empty spaces to avoid confusion for screen reader users.  

Examples of accurately applied headings in the Navigation Pane view.

Resources

1. The ADA Compliance Checklist Explained document includes additional resources on headings and how to apply them in Word, Canvas, and Blackboard. 
   

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